We’re looking forward to introducing you to Brandon Hensgens. Check out our conversation below.
Brandon, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Yes! I had a student earlier in the year, about 6 months ago, who was so nervous and hesitant throughout the whole class. She literally said that she “doesn’t want to be in the class.” But she went to every single class and opened up a bit more each time. Fast forward 4 months later to 2 weeks ago, I saw her perform again in a class show. She was commanding the stage, making a whole crowd laugh, her teammates laugh, and overall, she seemed way more confident in herself.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Ahoy hoy everybody! I’m Brandon Hensgens, and I’m the Artistic Director of Finest City Improv (FCI), an improv theater and training center nestled in Hillcrest. At FCI, we’re dedicated to helping people bring more joy, play, and humor into their lives through improv, whether that’s by taking a class or seeing one of our comedy shows.
I first discovered improv at 20, just looking for a fun hobby outside of college while pursuing a design career. What I found at FCI was so much more. It quickly became a second home, the first place where I didn’t feel like an outlier. Through improv, I gained confidence, found my voice, discovered new passions, and learned to take risks.
After being laid off from my graphic design job in New York, I returned to San Diego and stepped into the role of Artistic Director at the place that had given me so much. Now, I get to send the ladder back down by helping others find the same joy, belonging, and growth that improv gave me.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I’d say my improv teacher and coach, Graeson Harris-Young, saw me clearly before I could see myself. During the last class, we all sat down for a positive feedback session. At the end of my turn, he looked me in the eyes and made sure I really heard what people were saying. He didn’t let me slip into my usual self-deprecating humor and laugh it off. Instead, he helped me recognize the drive and creativity that everyone saw and brought it to the forefront. That moment was truly game-changing.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Oh man, the fear that held me back is such a common one: the fear of what people think of me and the fear of being different. For most of my life, I felt like an outlier. In high school, even the theater kids made fun of me. So I tried to blend in—adopting other people’s interests, hiding parts of myself, and wearing what felt like a personality mask. That mindset followed me into adulthood and kept me small.
When I finally shed that mask, it unlocked an entirely new version of myself. I realized authenticity is the most powerful tool we have, and it’s already built into us. My teacher, Brian O’Connell, always says, “There is no one exactly like you. So bring that into your art. If you don’t, we can’t get it from anywhere else.” That’s the lesson I carry with me and try to pass on to my students every chance I get.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
For me, authenticity is the value I protect most fiercely. Growing up, I tried to blend in, to be like everyone else—and it made me feel invisible, or like a side character in my own story. Improv slowly stripped that away—because the best moments, and the deepest connections always stem from truth.
Now I see authenticity as the most powerful thing to add to our art and work. No one else can share the exact perspective and experience you have. That’s something I try to live by and pass on to my students.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people tell stories about how I gave them an opportunity. How I saw their potential and believed in them. Maybe they’ll share a memory of being on stage with me and feeling like we had the best time together, or recall that it looked like I gave everything I had every single time I performed. Maybe it’ll be about a conversation where my passion was contagious.
That’s what I care about most: that people remember me as someone helpful, fun, and passionate.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.finestcityimprov.com/
- Instagram: @finestcityimprov @brandonmeetsworld
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FinestCityImprov
Image Credits
Photos by FCI Staff
